Spirit Airlines has issued a going-concern warning, raising doubts about its ability to continue operations within the next year, just five months after emerging from Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. The low-cost carrier, based in Florida, cited persistent weak demand for domestic leisure travel and elevated industry capacity as key factors eroding its pricing power and straining its financial position. The announcement triggered a steep market reaction, with Spirit’s shares plunging more than 40% on Tuesday.
Turbulent times continue for Spirit Airlines. Credit – Spirit Airlines.
In its latest quarterly filing, Spirit reported that the challenging conditions seen in the second quarter of 2025 are expected to persist through year-end, further pressuring revenue. Despite cost-cutting measures, including the furlough of 270 pilots and the demotion of 140 others in July, the airline acknowledged that its financial recovery is not progressing at the pace required by its liquidity covenants. The company’s credit card processor has also requested additional funds be set aside as collateral, warning that without this, the contract due to expire on December 31 could be terminated.
Spirit emerged from bankruptcy in March 2025 after a court approved a restructuring plan supported by its creditors. The filing in November 2024 marked the first bankruptcy by a major U.S. carrier since 2011 and followed years of losses, failed merger attempts, and mounting debt. Plans to merge with JetBlue in a $3.8 billion deal were blocked by a federal judge in January 2024 over antitrust concerns, while earlier merger talks with Frontier Airlines also collapsed.
Spirit Airlines reports persistent weak leisure travel demand
The airline has since pursued several strategies to stabilize operations, including launching a Premium Economy seating option and exploring asset sales. This includes potential transactions involving aircraft, spare engines under sale-and-leaseback arrangements, real estate holdings, and excess airport gate capacity. However, management cautioned there is no certainty these initiatives will succeed or generate the liquidity needed to meet obligations.
External headwinds have compounded the company’s challenges. Executives cited macroeconomic pressures, including shifts in consumer spending patterns, as well as overcapacity in the domestic airline market, which has intensified competition and reduced fares. These conditions have been echoed by other carriers in the budget sector, with Frontier Airlines’ chief executive recently warning of an industry-wide contraction in routes and capacity due to unprofitability in many domestic markets. Spirit’s ongoing financial strain has raised concerns among industry analysts and creditors.
Months ahead seen as critical for survival
Tim Hynes, head of Global Credit Research at Debtwire, noted that the company’s liquidity requirements demand faster improvement than current forecasts suggest. Without swift and substantial cash generation, Spirit faces the risk of defaulting on its agreements. The airline reiterated its commitment to finding solutions but acknowledged in its Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filing that there is “substantial doubt” about its ability to remain operational over the next 12 months. The coming months are expected to be critical, as the company negotiates with stakeholders and pursues asset monetization to avert another financial collapse. – By Content Syndication Services.